Hawkins to consider longer stay at Boise State

POCATELLO, Idaho -- Boise State coach Dan Hawkins is considering a five-year, $2.6 million offer from the university that could keep him with the school through 2009.

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The State Board of Education on Thursday approved the new contract offer, which would boost Hawkins' salary more than 30 percent from this year.

Hawkins, who has led the Broncos to 22 straight victories, said he wouldn't make a decision until Sunday, at the earliest.

"I need to get back and mull it over and talk with my family and powwow," said Hawkins, who made $50,000 when he joined Boise State as an assistant head coach in 1998.

The offer, which Hawkins himself helped structure, includes big bonuses and incentives -- but penalties if he left before the end of the deal. If Hawkins stayed for less than the full five years, it would cost him or his new employer $850,000 to end the agreement.

Dan Hawkins has coached Boise State to 22 consecutive wins.(AP)
"This is a package that (Hawkins) consented to," Boise State president Bob Kustra said. "We've discussed this with him over the course of the last few days. He knows everything that's in it, and he thought it was a very attractive offer for Boise State to make."

Hawkins' name has come up as a possible candidate for several high-profile job openings, including Florida, and Washington.

Hawkins said none of those schools have contacted him and he intends to consider the Boise State offer first.

During his four years as head coach at Boise State, the Broncos have won three consecutive Western Athletic Conference championships and compiled a 44-6 record.

Hawkins, 44, signed a deal two years ago that will net him $501,500 this season, including bonuses, if he remains employed at Boise State through March 1, 2005.